Tony Abbott puts Bronwyn Bishop on probation over expenses saga

[grandmoon]

TONY Abbott says his speaker Brownyn Bishop is on “probation” after her use of taxpayer money to fund a helicopter trip to a Liberal party fundraiser.

Speaking this morning Mr Abbott said he was “unhappy” with Ms Bishop’s “serious lapse of judgment” but maintained she still had his full confidence as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“Despite this serious lapse of judgment, Bronwyn has had a long and distinguished history in our parliament,” Mr Abbott said.

“Yes she has been a strong speaker, she has been a good servant of our country and a good servant of the Coalition.

“But like everyone who has done something like this they are on probation.”

The Prime Minister said he had taken part in a number of “long conversations” with Ms Bishop about the issue and she was “quite contrite” about the matter.

“I can really understand why people are unhappy about this. Frankly, I’m unhappy about it as well,” Mr Abbott said.

“But I would ask for people to keep a sense of proportion here.”

Mr Bishop came under fire last week after it was revealed she claimed $5227 of taxpayer money to charter a helicopter from Melbourne to Geelong to attend a Liberal Party fundraiser.

The journey takes just under one hour by car.

Ms Bishop apologised for the claim and paid back the money with more than $1300 of interest.

However it was also revealed today that Ms Bishop’s extravagant claims do not end there with yet another charter flight being claimed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The Herald Sun revealed today that Ms Bishop took a charter flight to the NSW town of Young to attend a fundraiser where she was the key speaker at a Liberal fundraiser

[icyfroth]

Bronny takes her dog for a walk lol

[debra9275]

I reckon she's too experienced to be put on 'P' plates 😃

[gleee58]

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@debra9275 wrote:
I reckon she's too experienced to be put on 'P' plates 😃

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I can’t underestimate the seriousness of this. The Speaker is required to maintain parliamentary standards and yet there are now these extremely serious allegations against the Speaker. So in order to maintain the respect and the reputation of the Parliament, in order to preserve the integrity of the Government and our institutions, it is very important that the Prime Minister act swiftly to require the Speaker to step aside and it’s very important that the Australian Federal Police quickly investigate these matters so that they can be resolved as soon as is humanly possible.

[raptor_rebooted]

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@debra9275 wrote:
I reckon she's too experienced to be put on 'P' plates😃

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being subject to a period of 

good behaviour has nothing to do

with being too experienced. 

[debra9275]

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@gleee58 wrote:

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@debra9275 wrote:
I reckon she's too experienced to be put on 'P' plates 😃

---

I can’t underestimate the seriousness of this. The Speaker is required to maintain parliamentary standards and yet there are now these extremely serious allegations against the Speaker. So in order to maintain the respect and the reputation of the Parliament, in order to preserve the integrity of the Government and our institutions, it is very important that the Prime Minister act swiftly to require the Speaker to step aside and it’s very important that the Australian Federal Police quickly investigate these matters so that they can be resolved as soon as is humanly possible.

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This speaker is apparently exempt from all that Gleee

[fiestas*girl]

give her 'the slipper' treatment

[icyfroth]

Get over it. For all the diversion Mr Shorten is gleefully milking from this incident, he still has the RC commission to face again.

[iapetus_rocks]

All we (the people) want is for an even-handed treatment for Mrs Bishop. For the AFP to refer the incident back to a govt department for investigation is just not acceptable when the accusation of criminality has been made.

I think that Bronwyn's time in the sun is fast fading into a wintry and rainy afternoon.

That is if the Australian Federal Police get on with doing the job they are supposed to do, without fear nor favour.

The AFP's treatment of this case has the potential to seriously affect their own reputation if they are perceived to be under some sort of political influence to tread lightly and not prosecute this case with all the vim and vigor which they applied to Mr Slipper's own case.

[iapetus_rocks]

What does it even mean? . . . placing her on probation?

"In some jurisdictions, the term probation only applies to community sentences (alternatives to incarceration), such as suspended sentences. In others, probation also includes supervision of those conditionally released from prison on parole." (Wikipedia)

So, by placing Mrs bishop on "probation" Mr Abbott has implicitly acknowledged and admitted  that there has been an offence committed.

I think he is trying to distance himself from her ahead of the coming storm.

Too little, too late.

Ditch the witch, Tony. You know it makes dollars cents sense.